SEC MEDIA DAYS: No more leaping to block field goals

HOOOVER, Ala. -- The "Zach Cunningham rule" will go into effect this year.

Beginning this year, no defensive player who runs toward the line of scrimmage from beyond the neutral zone may leap or hurdle in an attempt to block a field goal or PAT.

Cunningham, the former Vanderbilt star linebacker, used this move to block a field goal in Vandy's game last season against Auburn, leaping over the long snapper and blocking a kick. Under the old rule, leaping wasn't a penalty unless contact was made with an opposing player during the leap process.

This is an off year for competition rule changes, but this rule change is considered a safety rule, and safety rule changes may be implemented each year.

In another safety rule change, the nameplate area is now included in horse-collar penalties.

Steve Shaw, the Southeastern Conference coordinator of officials, offered an update on the collaborative replay process. The SEC had collaborative replay available for 103 games last year, which led to 226 stoppages. The collaborative replay led to an 8 percent improvement in correct outcomes of calls. The average review time was 1 minute, 26 seconds.
Shaw, in addition to his role with the SEC, on Sept. 1 will become the NCAA's secretary-rules editor.
In a change to game management, Shaw said if coaches enter the field of play to protest a call, it will yield an automatic unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. The idea is to keep coaches on the sideline when they want to protest.
The SEC had 26 targeting fouls in 2016, five of which initiated from the replay booth. Of the 26 targeting calls, 16 were confirmed, five calls stood and five were overturned.
The SEC's average length of game last season was 3 hours, 26 minutes. Two games finished in under three hours. Four games lasted more than four hours, two of which went into overtime. To help the pace of game, the there's a focus on limiting halftime to 20 minutes. "When the 20 minutes goes to zero, our officials are going to break, they're going to blow the whistle, and we're going to kick it off," Shaw said. ... "This is probably going to save some time." Another focus will be working with TV partners to quickly get in and out of commercial breaks.
This is an off year for competition rule changes. A rule that will take effect in 2018: Knee pads must be covered by pants, and pants and knee pads must cover the knees.